The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Cowes will host the fifth Vice Admiral’s Cup regatta from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May 2009 inclusive.  Since its introduction in 2005 the Vice Admiral’s Cup has gone from strength to strength with it’s simple close racing format and fun social programme proving to be exactly what the customer ordered. 
 
In 2009 the Vice Admiral’s Cup will once again feature four classes.  As usual, the 50-52 foot class will incorporate the TP52s and Farr 52s bringing us an outstanding visual spectacle as well as some incredibly close racing.  The 44-46 foot class, which includes the Farr 45s, DK46s and Swan 45s, is back by popular demand and we can expect outstanding competition from this group and no doubt a few surprises too.  The third regular class taking part will be the much loved Quarter Ton Class, which continues to grow in numbers and quality each year.   Alongside a host of familiar faces the Quarter Tonners look forward to welcoming several new boats and new faces at this year’s Vice Admiral’s Cup with a record entry expected.  
 
Each year the Vice Admiral’s Cup organisers extend a special invitation to a fourth class to join the event and for 2009 that class will be the now well established J-109.  Fifteen to twenty J-109 teams are expected to compete including all the top UK boats.  “The J-109 Class is thrilled to be invited to take part in the Vice Admiral’s Cup.  This is a prestigious event and as such the phenomenally successful J-109 class will have much to offer the Vice Admiral’s Cup in terms of quality of competition on the race track.  We are looking forward to an outstanding weekend of racing.”  Commented J-109 UK Class Chairman Matt Boyle.
 
The huge performance difference between the older Farr 52’s and TP52’s will mean that the 50-52 ft class will race under IRC this year.  The Quarter Tonners will also compete under IRC as level racing in boats of such varying age and design is impractical (the class incorporates boats built to all three very different iterations of the Quarter Ton Rule).  The 44-46 ft class and the J-109s will level race.  Racing will take place in the central Solent with the 50-52 and 44-46 foot classes on one course and the J-109s and Quarter Tonners on another.  Each evening competitors will be able to enjoy an informal après sailing supper at the Royal Corinthian’s beautiful harbour side club house and there will be a formal prize giving after racing on the final day of the regatta.
 
For the fourth consecutive year the organisers are delighted to be working with event sponsors North Sails, Musto, and Boat Sales International who will each sponsor a day of racing.  The support of these sponsors plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the Vice Admiral’s Cup and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club is very pleased to be partnering with them again for 2009.
 
For further information about the 2009 Vice Admiral’s Cup please contact Anthony Collis, Secretary, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, The Parade, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QU, E-mail anthony@rcyc.co.uk, Tel 44 (0)1983 293581 or visit www.rcyc.co.uk